Words from different languages that sound or look the same, but with a different meaning. Today the Dutch word: “dier” which sounds the same as the english “deer”. These are not totally different things, as you will see but still, they are false friends!

A deer in English is what we call in Dutch “een hert”.

Now that looks like the old english word “hart”, which means the same as the Dutch “hert”. Attention, “hart” is a false friend in itself. Because “hart” in Dutch is “heart” in English.

Now the Dutch word “dier”.

This is: “een dier”.

Hmm, you think now. You’re fooling me. What about the false friends…

Well… This is “een dier” as well.

And this also.

You probably got it. “Een dier” in Dutch is “an animal” in English.

So: Een hert is een dier. A deer is an animal

And you now understand. The Dutch “dier” and the English “deer” are false friends!